What Type of Information is Contained in an Official Plan?

The Planning Act states that goals, objectives, and policies must be contained in an Official Plan. The goals, objectives, and policies are required to manage and direct physical change and the effects of this change on the social, economic, and natural environment.

The Planning Act also identifies additional criteria that may be, but does not have to be, contained in the Official Plan. This includes measures and procedures to guide planning processes.

Official Plans must further policy established at the regional and provincial levels. Each municipality has the ability to integrate and implement regional and provincial policy direction with respect to the particular pressures, unique features, local context, and specific location of the municipality.